How to air-layer any plant with a high rate of success

[@Mc1Schol]

I like your video about air layering. As a hobby I also do air layers on my plants with success. This only functions during the growing season, so summer cuttings. Air-layering is the same as layering, in which shoots of the plant are bent to the ground and covered to root. However, with air-layering I bring the soil to the shoots and fix the soil around the shoot with plastic foil or trays. Difference between your method, I do use (sphagnum moss) moss or grass clippings mixed with potting soil or well-wetted garden soil. Then I use empty salad bowls with lids in which I fill the soil mix. I cut both sides of the container shallowly crosswise short below the edge. I place the container tightly around a branch, remove a narrow ring of the bark under a leaf node and then fill the container around the branch and then close the container with a lid. By 6 to 8 weeks after the procedure, the cutting can become sufficiently rooted to separate from the mother plant. After loosening, I partially remove the leaves and place the cutting in a sufficiently large pot with soil mix in a sheltered place, out of direct sunlight under a shelter. When the growth of the cutting returns, and roots grow out of the pot, I move the cutting to a large pot and place it in full sun. The cuttings then grow like the adult plant. Flower and bear fruit the same year and grow into full-fledged plants. Good luck with your plant hobby.

[@GardeningwithDave]

This makes sense now why my tree didn’t successfully grow roots 😂😂😂. Thank you for sharing your incredible trips❤. Cheers from California 🎉.Happy gardening. -Dave

[@josefavela1654]

Do cuttings also bare fruit the same year? When you cut a branch and stick it in some soil. I tried looking for an answer on which provides fruits fastest. Cuttings vs Layering/Air Layering.

[@Mc1Schol]

cuttings might bare fruits the same year if flowering already, but fruits can fall off because root system is not that much devollepped it can support all those fruits. More chance next year fruits.@@josefavela1654

[@jeanniemullinder9038]

what fruit plants are you using that 'bear' fruit the same year ? this is incredible !!

[@Proj_Doomsday]

Another tip. Feed them water for a few hours before cutting it off. I use to make clones for MJ, when I first started. I made the mistake of planting the rooted clones and they all dehydrated even though I feed them plenty of water after potting them. It just ups the odds a bit more in favor of a good outcome.

[@saundra1571]

Feed them water for a few hours before cutting it off?? Do you mean water the mother tree prior to cutting off the routed branch?

[@geriannroth449]

​@saundra1571 maybe he means injecting some water into the airlayered pods

[@JohnDoe_88]

What works great for me is taking a 2 liter bottle, cutting the top off and cutting a seam down the side that makes a hole at the bottom of the bottle where I can stick a fig(or other edible branch) through the bottle then I tape the seam back shut and fill it with soil and it's like the plant is rooting right into a pot for me which I can cut the branch from the base later once it has shown roots. Then it's already air layered into a reusable pot. Working well for me

[@jeanniemullinder9038]

why make a seam ?

[@curtisnt]

you're an air layer fanatic! ill definitely go below a node for my next air layer project. thanks for the video!!

[@great0789]

That simple little trick... performed enough times... can literally feed the world.

[@jesuschristislordoflordsan427]

people are starving

[@JohnDoe_88]

Yea I love propagating... Problem is there's not enough money in self sufficiency 🤦‍♂️

[@iversonbeckles3601]

How to grow nuts how do you how do you grow nuts

[@jeanniemullinder9038]

@@jesuschristislordoflordsan427 people are also lazy !!

[@jeanniemullinder9038]

@@JohnDoe_88 the idea of self sufficiency is to live almost without money ! I don't think you have the right idea.

[@JohnDoe_88]

Appreciate you sharing the process. Figs are the easiest to root of all my edibles

[@howtowithelizabeth7513]

Use the end of the zip tie and push it into where it holds Push down the little flap that wedges into the grooves and u can reuse them Great job in the rooting u did

[@ashreebird]

beyond all the great air layering info (super helpful, thank you so much) i love the kitty litter scoop for soil 🙀 what a great idea!

[@acrelake]

Perfect timing, this weekend I'm going to air layer some shoots my potted fig has shot up.

[@msantero5845]

I just tried my first air-layer with an Arabian Lilac. Only one little node after 6 weeks with moss but no rooting hormone. On top of that it wan’t next to a node. Thanks for the information. This will help adjust on my next try.

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Thanks for showing your post separation activity. Most growers expect the plant to perform exactly as it was performing before it was separated from the main plant. Which makes me wonder how all of those other successful air layering propagations faired after separation. Have you ever tried leaving it exactly as it was before you separated it?

[@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848]

Perfect timing! I was going to do some air layering this coming week on a japanese maple, blueberries, bay laurel and pineapple guava! Thanks for posting this.

[@glendathegoodwitch6987]

How did it go with the Japanese Maple?

[@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848]

@@glendathegoodwitch6987 I tried one and it did not work. I will be trying more this summer.

[@isaiah4478]

@@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848harder to root species require stronger rooting powder

[@masblackwell8205]

Aloha Ben, You have just filled this weekend for me. I have been wanting to prune back my brown turkey and root the cuttings. This will eliminate one step. Thank You 🙏 mas

[@fuyu5979]

Just watched ur upload on air laying. Very interesting n informative. Always wanted to learn HOW to air lay coz I have an unusual hibiscus plant that might be slowly dying so want to air lay it before it completely dies. Will try ur method n technique. Hope it works for me. Kudos for the vid. New subscriber because of this vid. Anticipating ur next one. Peace

[@ralsharp6013]

The person who makes reusable zip ties is going to be very rich😅 Great job on your fruitntree multiplication ✔️🗝

[@WorldofBonsai]

Very good video

[@greglongenecker1772]

I tried it on four of my Japanese maples without a single one rooting 😡 I noticed that you also used a lot less sphagnum moss then I used, and I usually use thicker stems than you did with no leaf nods on them .....so I’ll try it your way and see what happens......thanks Ben :)

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

Has to have leaf nodes or there is no material to grow roots out of

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

Unless it's a willow tree that is lolitll grow roots anywhere but where the nodes are

[@TheMightyYak]

@@MikeHunt-lz2hq layering at a node increases the chance of success, but you can still layer successfully without.

[@rayseto2724]

Any success?

[@RegularJohntv]

Ross mentioned in one of his videos about how if you let an air layer go dormant then remove it, it will have significant less stress. Would you agree with this or no.

[@TrialanError]

Thank you Ben. I've been watching you since day 1.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

I've also propagated plum, kumquat, orange, lemon and grapefruit trees that way. They bear fruit the following year. It works with most trees.

[@entvisual]

*BEN THIS IS* PHENOMENAL I really enjoyed watching this video so peaceful friend! :)

[@TheMurpleMan]

Awesome video, very helpful. Down here in Beacon Hill 'bout to give her a go for the first time on some maples and pears in the yard.

[@wahinenuiloa]

Awesome video....simple instructions..great tips. Mahalo

[@TitoSpeaks]

Pretty awesome. I like the node idea. Im going to try on my dragons head maple. I really got stuck when I saw the pine. I thought you were about to do something earth shattering. LMK if you figure that one out. I don't think its really possible, but I'd love to see it.

[@MomijiEn]

Cool techniques! Gotta try it - Thanks for sharing!

[@pwu8194]

Figs are very easy to propagate. I just cut the mature branches after they have gone dormant, and stick them into the soil. They will grow leaves as soon as spring comes.

[@loyaluwang4228]

The most important thing about layering is the time of the year suitable for the particular plant.

[@southernlivinggardenbymama9]

Missed your videos! Please do more fig tastings.😀

[@devilghost]

Great job! 🎉

[@majidaattaplantscare4582]

So beautiful plant s

[@purplethumb7887]

Haha, kittly litter shovel from the Dollar Store. I use the same thing. 🤣👍

[@demontalembertjean1432]

Most interesting ! how do you put water in your air layer ? At which period do you air layer your pine ?

[@irishka_zolotse]

Would this work on Korean lilac or any other lilac? I need bigger blooming bushes sooner, and I dont have lots of space under the bush to layer in the ground... nice technique, thank you for sharing!

[@robertlesaca4776]

Figs are easy. I just stick the branch into a pot of soil and it grows. I don't even have to air layer.

[@shaolinshadowsoldier]

Great video Ben!

[@donabellahardeneravlogs790]

Great result👍

[@thegreenmanalishiyamadori371]

Figs are very easy to airlayer because they can be propagated from cuttings... I wonder if it works on difficulties like oaks and beech???

[@LAyangfamily]

Air layering is always better than cuttings even though fig is easy to root no matter what method you use. I have many videos talking about fig propagation. For those plants hard to propagate using cuttings such as some hydrangea varieties or rose 🌹cuttings (black stems, infections), air layering is no 1 to have a try.

[@Dretired]

Good demo and tips.

[@bertmarifosque1735]

Great technique! I live in VANCOUVER, BC. We have similar weather. What month is the best time to air layer fig trees? Thanks.

[@melissaharland5609]

Superb serene n expedient video info 👑

[@rosebrad9116]

Can't wait to try, thanks.

[@wizard-prism]

Thanks Ben this is really helpful. Someone I recommended I use this technique on my Cornus Kousa (Japanese Dogwood) is it best to do this in the spring?

[@user-li5wk2yq4b]

Pines are very hard to root via air layering, almost impossible. Good luck with that Black Pine. Nice vid.

[@the0prynce]

Where is the girdling done in relation to the node? I can't see the node in the example. I love the style and feel of this video!

[@MikeHunt-lz2hq]

Just bellow the node your trying to force roots out of maybe an inch or half inch below unless it's a small branch then a half or quarter inch

[@oliviercarez]

Hi, nice video.. Do you also girdle or make light scratches on the cuttings? Or only apply clonex on the nodes of these cuttings? Thanks in advance and best regards, Olivier

[@albongardens3199]

What is the potting mix you use? Do you mix it yourself?

[@ferko6]

Great video 👍. I'm not sure that you can airlayer pines.

[@GraftingTactick]

Awesome ☘️ 🌱🌿

[@Tammy10018]

Definitely going to try this. Thank you

[@bobbytran9954]

Hi Ben is there a good time to air layer a thick peach branch in so Cal? Thanks for the tip

[@georgevalenzuela2489]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@tavyfavorite1149]

I love this technique, did the same thing but somehow the birds peck on it. Torn the foil and left holes into the plastic bag. I have Notice white tiny flys( termite or tiny ants ate the roots) as I unwrap the whole air layer branch. I live on a 70 year old citrus lot, birds are smart here and so I 've realized using cheese cloth is best. Yes, I have done this in the past 6 years and got good successful results in all my fruits trees . Do you know why or what are those white tiny fly looks like ant, eating kill the roots?. Thx

[@kevinb7098]

Great video, thanks for the tips

[@iPheek]

Can you air layer a bald cypress as well? Planing to do one in spring!

[@adouglas3080]

Thanks! Love it

[@dausia]

Nice…..now going to try your method……hope it works :)

[@Randommeemes]

Awesome u got new subscriber got love wisdom.thank u one question can I do.this on mimosas tree too will.do one on fruit tree n fig tree thank for wisdom teaching

[@letsbacktoallohswt5633]

Mr. Ben, hope you put subtitle bahasa indonesia, so the indonesian farmers will thank you a lot, and your subscriber grow more and more,insha Allah. Thank you very much.

[@damianrico2433]

Really liked the video, I’ve never done any propagation but I am super interested. Do you know if it will work on pecan trees?

[@michaelbahr7267]

i generally leave them out of the direct sun for at least a week. How long do you keep yours in the shade? left a like

[@BenBSeattle]

Until I see new buds then I know its in the clear

[@roncastro7195]

Cool Thanks Ben

[@josefavela1654]

Do cuttings also bare fruit the same year? When you cut a branch and stick it in some soil. I tried looking for an answer on which provides fruits fastest. Cuttings vs Layering/Air Layering.

[@mhr9998]

Ben, Before you transplant the new rooted tree, do your ever give the roots a bath with some Hydrogen peroxide-water, then another with mychorizae. I’ve been doing this with seedlings and the results have also been impressive. I am trying this on Nectarine and Pear trees after watching this video. Thanks

[@mhr9998]

@@KB-pk8cn I used the word bath, but I’m using a very small spray bottle and I only use 5 drops of 3% h2o2 in it. I spray the roots directly and the dirt fall off easily. Then I dust the roots directly in mycorrhizae and cover with fine soil near roots. Once they get on with their growth spurt - they Thrive. Today I am air layering three new branches on a 3 year old Lemon Tree from seed. I expect new growth branches will root even faster.

[@squeakydmicrofarm6546]

Your music 🎶 is on point well done with great content! Great job ben.

[@danspencer8463]

Yeah I'd like to know what music choice that is

[@beltoftruth56]

Looks much easier and quicker then using seeds

[@bonsai.ciamik]

You keren good # greetings careurbonsai🙏👍🏼🍂

[@davidvong1372]

Been following and watching all your videos. In the Seattle area as well. Will you be opening a nursery ?

[@ZaherArraf]

What’s that planting soil composition ? With the white things in ?

[@DarrellWeavercom]

Ben, hopefully, you see this comment & can respond. Could I use black plastic without aluminum foil, especially if I'm trying to air layer in the wild? I've reasoned that using black plastic without aluminum foil would reduce the chances of animals trying to pick at it, & it would help keep humans from seeing the air layer & trying to take it off to "protect the tree."

[@romanmetcalf4116]

Are you skinning the node or just applying the hormone to the bark?

[@TanvirHossen-q8o]

Did you use any other root hormones other than clonex? What is your recommendation? Thanks

[@60sVblogs]

I live in New England, East coast. What is the best time for Air Layering?

[@claudehendry3644]

i need to ask you a question about florida mangroves please sir

[@paleprod]

Hi, I have just one quick question: Is it safe to mix spaghnum moss with bonsai soil? It seems that the moss buried under the soil would never dry as fast as the soil at the top of the pot. In that way you can drown these new roots pretty easily. Correct me if I'm wrong please. Ps. maybe it depends on what type of spaghnum moss you use? (dead/alive etc). Let me know please, Thanks!

[@BenBSeattle]

I suppose so, but I think it would be unnecessary. Just keep the moss more moist if its summer and less when its spring

[@elvegas8752]

Hey ben, im in México and our current weather is day time 76 and pm 56 degrees Fahrenheit. Think i can still air layer a peach tree?

[@linda83nilsson]

What’s the downside of letting an air layer sit in the tree too long? From what I’ve understood it’s recomended to let the air layer sit for 6 - 8 weeks before cutting it. Too short, you don’t get enough roots, but if you wait 10 - 12....14 weeks....provided that the plastic bag is big enough.

[@Vinnie-cv5qv]

I have tried air layering a few different trees, from japanese maple to fruit trees. I watched as many videos on the technique and instructed to remove the cambium. I did this in the Spring and shortly all the branches dried up. I noticed in your video that you remove the bark and scratch the cambium in order for rooting hormone to penetrate. Am I correct that you do not remove the cambium? I would like to try again but seeing all those dead branches was discouraging.

[@BenBSeattle]

I remove the bark and cambium but not the sapwood

[@LAyangfamily]

I always remove bark and cambium to avoid any bridge formation.

[@1cleandude]

Clear as mud!🙏

[@Athabina]

Very good Ben! Is it necessary to girdle the branch? John C in Victoria

[@BenBSeattle]

Not on figs so much but other varieties yes. Figs are easy

[@TanvirHossen-q8o]

Did you able to get roots in persimmon plants by doing air layer? Thanks

[@BenBSeattle]

I did not on the persimmon but I am working on another technique to see if i can airlayer by doing a root graft.

[@velvanae]

I have a bay laurel that is about a meter tall with two smaller branches toward the bottom (about 18 cm long) and a second trunk that just started last summer that is about 12 cm . I want to top it so the second trunk catches up a bit. One of the branches will be a sacrificial branch (probably air layer later) because they are on the same side about 5 cm apart. Since I live in a climate that bay laurel will not do well in the outdoors due to the winters I want to form it into a Bonzai (Already noticed Nebari forming nicely) due to limited space in my house. My question is can I air layer several places on the single long section at the same time or would it be better to do a section at a time from year to year. Also since the nodes are so close together on the bay laurel is it better to include several of them or just try to catch a single one. Thank you so much for your help in advance! I also watched your video on getting thicker trunks faster and several of those methods I am planning on using for my jade plants as well as my mulberry bush . (Also going to air layer the mulberry and form it into Bonzai for outside), and of course the bay laurel. I of course will have more plants than I can handle so I am going to share them with my landlady because she is awesome, and my neighbor because she is awesome.

[@chompers11]

Howd the bay turn out

[@velvanae]

@@chompers11 It didn't. Something killed the tree.

[@AmputatedToddler]

Can you show us how you do this on junipers, step by step please

[@monkeytrainer8135]

I noticed you didn’t use rooting hormone. Is it not necessary? Would it work with diospyros virginiana/American persimmon?

[@geriannroth449]

What would you substitute the Spagnum moss with?

[@derekosborn]

Very helpful. THX!

[@bmjsoundstt6624]

I use the foil, the black plastic absorbs too much heat on new roots in tropics

[@bustabee143]

*clones maple tree* Comment section: "This can feed the world!!!"

[@bobmarley965]

Beloved i am in the uk, what can i use to do the air layering, i dont have cococore?

[@palio78ful]

Hi, great video, thanks! I have 2 questions; first have u ever tried on walnut tree? Second; why dont you wait for the december to raise the success rate while the tree started sleeping? If u answer, preciated.

[@isakenstrom3375]

I Also want to know If it works on walnut tree. There is one in my yard and my landlady gave me permission but I don’t want to do it without knowing if it works. Can trees die from trying airlayering?

[@JPAG0806]

Great video from the Netherlands👍At what temperature during the 4..8 weeks? Regards, Jan

[@BenBSeattle]

out temps range in the spring between 15-26C in the spring

[@jeffdodson1675]

Earlier this year, I experimented with trying to root hardwood ginkgo cuttings. On several of them I noticed callus but no roots....yet. In your air layering video I noticed you checked how your work was progressing by pealing back the sphagnum. I thought I could see callus forming and am now wondering if you have ever tried adding Clonex or similar root encouragement to callus?

[@BenBSeattle]

Yes I reapply rooting hormone if nothing has happened after a month

[@jeffdodson1675]

Ben B. Seattle .....good to know. Thank you.

[@JacobSimpson]

Hmmm... I recently tried ginko cuttings too. I did about 15 hardwood cuttings, no rooting hormone, just some random (the cheapest I could find) potting soil, and just stuck them in it, all in one pot, soaked it, then stuck it under some of my plant shelves, and left it alone. And in a little over a month they had rooted and I split them into their own pots. I have about ten of them. I had no problem with them. They just grow real slow. Good luck with yours! Hope they root

[@jeffdodson1675]

Jacob Simpson .....what time of year did you take your cuttings? Where do you live?

[@jeffdodson1675]

Also, what was the cultivar?

[@bobmarley965]

what are you using in the mix? name something i can get in the uk

[@stephencopland1053]

Can you do it mid summer or is early to mid spring the only time after there's no chance of frost

[@BenBSeattle]

Any time but watch your micro climate. Best to do it in the spring. The hot summer may kill your new roots.

[@stevencw0201]

Which Ginkgo branches are suitable for air-layering? What is the rooting rate? May I air-layering a fruit-bearing branch (around one inch in diameter)? Thanks

[@pablitozm1]

In the text of the video you wrote number 1 sphagnum peat moss. but in the video application it shows that you are using sphagnum moss. Which of the two is the one we sholuld use? Sphagnum peat moss? or Sphagnum moss? because there is a big difference between one and the other. Thank you.

[@Elkins24]

What is the brand of Clonex that you use?

[@Banasuka]

Clonex good

[@love81457]

Would air layering be successful on a 8foot tall parlor palm?

[@jeremiahshine]

Is it the acidic nature of the hormone that breaks the cell walls? Some swear by vinegar and such.

[@edlopez5768]

Will this new "tree" produce for example an avocado tree? They take years to fruit.

[@vincealmendras2743]

If the moss get dried, how do you water it? Thanks